Subcommittee on the Automotive Industry in Canada committee  Yes, I am very limited in what I'm able to respond on that. Ford Motor Company took steps to increase their cash reserves before this hit. It was part of their ongoing restructuring plan. I think we just have to remember that every company that has gone through a major restructuring like that takes a huge hit on their cash reserves.

Subcommittee on the Automotive Industry in Canada committee  Maybe if I could start off, I think what we have in play here is that the industry, first off, is fiercely competitive, so there's always downward pressure on the cost of the vehicle. As you heard earlier today, I think it was Mr. Mondragon from Ford who indicated that we've been into negative pricing for a number of years now.

Subcommittee on the Automotive Industry in Canada committee  We have ongoing discussions with them.

Subcommittee on the Automotive Industry in Canada committee  Yes, there is.

Subcommittee on the Automotive Industry in Canada committee  We can always look back in hindsight, which is 20/20, and say that could have been the case. I don't think any of those are actually off the table now. It's a matter of working through them with the government and all parties involved and making progress. We have already initiated a good process to eliminate some of the differences in safety regulations between Canada and the U.S.

Subcommittee on the Automotive Industry in Canada committee  They would have made some of their own proposals, yes.

Subcommittee on the Automotive Industry in Canada committee  It's rather beyond my purview to speak specifically about the viability plans, but there are some things, generally speaking, whether we call them principles or whatever, that one can look at in terms of how that money is disbursed, and those companies will make it clear to you what they are.

Subcommittee on the Automotive Industry in Canada committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Valeriote. That is indeed a document that was authored by the CVMA. We put forward at that time a series of different proposals or propositions that we believed would enhance the well-being of the Canadian auto industry--not just the CVMA companies, but every vehicle manufacturer that actually produced vehicles in Canada.

Subcommittee on the Automotive Industry in Canada committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Good evening, ladies and gentleman. Thank you for this invitation to appear before you. By way of background, for over 80 years the CVMA has represented Canada's leading automakers and sellers of light- and heavy-duty vehicles, that is Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, and Navistar Corporation.

Agriculture committee  I have spent some time with the Saskatchewan government. They are very supportive of an appropriate ethanol program. We have to be very careful in what we say about the feedstocks for grain ethanol as they relate to food prices and things such as that. There are just as many studies showing that it's not the case that it's been responsible for the increase in shortages of food.

Agriculture committee  I think it's both, Mr. St. Amand. I think it's an approach in which they were able to comprehend the need for fuel quality, as it relates to the biofuel component. So it's one we have used as an example, that it can be done. There were some concerns at the outset about fuel contamination, which could cause potential driveability issues, which could represent a safety factor for a motorist who was, for instance, merging into high-speed traffic where, if you had bucking and stalling--as a result of contamination of the fuel--that would pose a real problem.

Agriculture committee  It's my pleasure.

Agriculture committee  Thanks very much, Mr. Chairman. Good morning to all the members of the committee. I want to thank all of you for this opportunity to address you today as it relates to Bill C-33. The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association is the lead national association that represents Canada's light- and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers, including Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, and International Truck and Engine Corporation.

International Trade committee  I agree. We're not concerned that Korea is pursuing other agreements with other countries. They're in the midst of it with the European Union right now. It's interesting that the European Union is having the same problem as it relates to their auto industry. Their government, however, is standing out publically supporting their auto industry and trying to address the very concerns that we seem to be incurring here, but doing it much more aggressively in support of their industry.

International Trade committee  If I may too, the reality around the world with essentially the collapse of the Doha Round has meant that many countries are now seeking more bilateral agreements. That is part of the reality. The question becomes how intent is this government on getting the deal signed for the right reasons, and we would submit that so far we haven't seen the right reasons or the right approach.